Lock ring



NOV. 12, 1946. w HESS 2,411,037

LOCK RING Filed April 21, 1943 Patentecl Nov. 12, 1946 FICE LooK RING William F. Hess, Pawtucket, R. I. Application April 21, 1943, Serial No. 483,900

3 Claims. (01. 24+232) My present invention relates to the jewelry art, and more particularly to a novel construction of lock ring.

The p c pal object of the present invention is to provide a lock ring for chains, bracelets, necklaces and similar articles, which is safe and sure in its posing and locking action.

Another object ofthe presentinvention is to provide a lock ring which will withstand strain and wear. i

A further object of the present invention is to provide alock ringwhich will retain its function overalong period of time.

Another object of. the present invention is to provide a lock ring which is simple in constructionand easy and economical to manufactureand assemble.

With the above and other objects and advan tageous features in view, my invention consistsof a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, and more specifically defined in the claims appended thereto.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an enlarged plan view of my novel lock ring in open position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view in closed position;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the base member;

Fig. 5 is an edge View of the same;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the locking member;

Fig. 7 is an edge view of the same;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a modified form of my invention;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged plan view of the modified base;

Fig. 11 is an edge view of the same;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged plan view of the locking member therefor; and

'Fig. 13 is an edge view of the same.

It has been customary in the jewelry art to use spring rings for detachably connecting the ends of chains, chain bracelets, necklaces, and similar articles. It has been found that such spring rings do not stand long use and, when the spring wears, lose their locking ability.

The present invention is designed to provide a lock ring which has long life, a positive locking action,

sizes. The present invention is particularly useand great strength even in the smaller 2 f ul in connecting the ends of the chains of the servicemens identification tags.

. Referring to the drawing, my novel lock ring comprises a base member 20 andalock member 2| which may economically be stamped from sheet stock. The base member 211 (Figs.4 and 5) comprises a flat ring portion 22 open at the center, as at 22A, and having an integral tab 23 extending train the edge; the tab 23 having an opening 24 for attachin to a link of a chain or the like. The portion 22 is cut through at one side edge to form a gap 25 communicating with the central opening 22A. Approximately oppos'itethe gap 2 5, the edge of the portion 22 is cut away for aportion of the perimeter, as at 26, each end of the ut-away portion 26 terminating in stop shoulders 21. In thef'center of thecut-away. porhence, the edgecr the base protrudes to form a rounded node or projection 28.

The 'lock member 2| (Figs. 6 and 7) is in the form of a fiat ring open at the'center 2|A and cut through at one side edge to form a gap 29 communicating with the center 21A. The edge opposite the gap 29 is provided with an integral finger engageable tab 30 bent at right angles to the surface ofthe lock member.

In assembly, the base member 29 is extruded through the central opening, as at 3| (Fig. 5), the lock member 2| is fitted over the extruded portion with the tab 30 extending into the cutaway portion 25 (Figs. 1 and 2). The extruded portion 3| is then swedged over to lock the members 20 and 2! together but permit coaxial turning movement of the member 2!. It will be noted that the finger engageable tab 39 exactly fills the space in the portion 26 on each side of the node 28, and when positioned to the left of the node, Fig. 1, the gaps 25 and 29 will align to permit insertion of a link or ring for locking. To lock the members, the finger engageable tab 30 is moved to the right, Fig. 2, to axially turn the member 2! and close the gap. In moving by the node 28, the tab 30 will snap into open and closed position and remain in that position because of the shoulders 21.

The above construction is thus easy and, economical to manufacture and assemble, the locking and unlocking is done with a snap action which positively retains the parts in the desired position, and the construction itself is such that the strain of the parts is in the plane of metal and permits long wear. The lack of springs and similar devices also permits much longer wear and resistance to strain.

If desired, the form shown in Figs. 8 to 13 inclusive may be used. In this form, the base 32, Fig. 10, is formed with straight parallel side edges and rounded ends. One end is pierced to form the opening 33 to which the chain end is permanently attached. The other end is also pierced, as at 34, and a gap 35 provided in the side edge to permit insertion of the other end of the chain or the like. A slot 36 is positioned between the openings 33 and 34 and is curved parallel to the opening 34. One side wall of the slot is provided at the center with the node 31.

The lock member 38 for this form is identicalto the herein above-described lock member 2|,

with a central opening 4| and gap 42. In assembly, the piercing 34 is extruded, Fig. 11, as at 39, the lock member 38 is positioned over the extruded portion with the tab 40 extending into the slot 36. The extruded portion is swedged to lock the parts together, The operation of this form is similar to the one shown in Figs. 1 to 7.

While I have described certain specific'embodiments of my invention, it is obvious that changes may be made in the size, shape, and relative arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: 7

'1. A look ring comprising a base member having a central opening, a gap in one edge communicating with said opening, said central opening being extruded, a lock member having a central opening fitting over said extruded portion, said extruded portion being swedged to lock said members together butpermit coaxial movement, said lock memberhaving a gap adapted toalign with said basegap, an integral pierced tab extending from said base member, and'cooperating means on said'base and lock members to releasably retain said members with the gap openings 4 in open or closed position, said means including a node extending from the edge of said base member and a finger tab on said lock member adapted to snap by said node when said lock member is axially moved into open or closed position.

2. A look ring comprising a base member having rounded ends, said member having an opening adjacent each end, a gap in one edge communicating with one of said openings, a lock member mounted on said base member over said gapped opening with free coaxial movement between said lock and base members, said lock member having a central opening aligning with the gapped opening in said base and having a gap adapted to align with said base gap, .a node on said base member and a finger tab on said lock -member engageable with said node to releasably retain said members with the gap openings in open or closed position.

, 3. A lock ring comprising a base member hav ing rounded ends, said member having an opening adjacent each end, a gap in one edge'commu nicating with one of said openings, a lock member mounted on said base member over said gapped opening with free coaxial movement between said lock and base members, said lock member having a central opening aligning with the gapped opening in said base and having a gap adapted to align with said base gap, and cooperating means on said .base and lock members to releasably retain said members rwith the gap openings in open or closedv position, said means including an arcuate slot in said base member, a node extending from one side wall of said slot, and a finger tab on said lock member extending into said slot and adapted to snap by said node when said lock member is axially turned to open or closed positions; g g

' WILLIAM F. 

